Doctor of Psychology -- Clinical
This program expands upon the subject matter offered in the Masters program. The core courses expose students to a wide array of clinical knowledge, applications, and approaches, while elective offerings will give students the opportunity to explore specialty subjects which may become an area of emphasis in their future careers. Part of the training curriculum for clinical doctoral students includes in-depth instruction and practice with those psychological tests used in modern psychological evaluations. This degree meets the educational requirements of the Board of Psychology for licensure in the State of California as a Psychologist. This program requires completion of 116 units. Licensing with the Board of Psychology as a Psychologist is complicated -- you may want to review our Overview of Licensing.
There are three tracks open to students wishing to pursue the Doctor of Psychology in clinical psychology (the Psy.D) – Track I is available to students entering with a bachelor’s degree. After successful completion of 43 units of pre-doctoral courses in the first year of study, these students matriculate into the Psy.D program.
Students who hold a master’s degree in psychology or in a closely related field may enroll in the Track II program. Typically, such students have not completed a core of clinical masters-level classes. They will complete certain key masters coursework before moving on to the full doctoral curriculum.
Students who hold a master’s degree in psychology with a clinical emphasis may qualify to enter directly into the Track III program and immediately begin doctoral level coursework.
Program Brochure for Track III
All clinical doctoral students should also be aware that the Board of Psychology in California adds requirements for licensure that may not be included in the curriculum. Typically, these requirements are low unit courses and are available from different educational venues, including regional and state conferences.
The Therapist Exchange www.therapistexchange.com/mainpage.htm, produces an online newsletter (to which one may subscribe at no cost) which highlights program offerings that may include these required-before-licensure courses.Please visit www.psychboard.ca.gov/faqs.htm to review these requirements:
Laws and Ethics*
Spousal and Partner Abuse*
Human Sexuality*
Substance Abuse*
Aging and Long-Term Care
Child Abuse** denotes courses taught at the masters level at PSP
